Auditor: DVS struggling to meet timely road test requirement, more clarity from Legislature needed

Wednesday, the Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor released its report on driver examination stations, finding that the Driver and Vehicle Services Division (DVS) has struggled to meet its legal requirement for giving a timely road test while also noting the Legislature needs to clarify certain aspects of the requirement.

State law requires DVS exam stations to give road tests within 14 days of the test request. However, the state auditor said persistent staff shortages at exam stations have made it difficult for DVS to consistently satisfy that requirement.

"Folks who are eligible should be able to make an appointment within 14 days, that’s what the law says, so we looked to see if that was the case and what we found was about a third of the appointments scheduled were scheduled within that 14 day window, meaning 2/3 of the appointments scheduled were outside of that 14 day window," said Deputy Legislative Auditor Judy Randall.

The report states DVS also consolidated from 93 to 15 exam stations beginning in May of 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. After that consolidation, DVS failed to meet the legal requirement to make Class D exams available in or adjacent to each county.

Still, the auditor said DVS has improved its exam-scheduling process for road tests and has allowed people to take the knowledge portion of tests online, although it lacked explicit legal authority to do that. Therefore, the report said the Legislature should clarify whether that online test is allowed.

Additionally, the auditor noted the state statute requiring a road test within 14 days is unclear as to whether it applies to an appointment made anywhere in the state or closer to an applicant’s home. The auditor suggested lawmakers also clarify that statute.

Other recommendations from the auditor included considering using third-party testers for road tests, expanding third-party road tests for commercial driver’s licenses, no-show fees and increasing the age for when driver’s education is required.

Representative Jon Koznick (R)-Lakeville is a supporter of third party testing and says it will help DVS with its staffing issues.

"Third-party testing would help level out their staffing requirements and give parents and students a better option to get a test taken," Koznick said.

Click here to see the report summary.